When Is Florida's Presidential Primary 2016?

BRANDON, FL — Tampa Bay area residents eager to cast their ballots in Florida’s Presidential Preference Primary still have some time to wait.

While early voting has started in Tampa Bay area counties, the primary isn’t scheduled until March 15. Polls will open statewide at 7 a.m. that Tuesday and will stay open until 7 p.m. for Republicans and Democrats to make their nomination choices known.

Tuesday, March 15’s primary date is meant only for the presidential race. Florida is a closed primary state, which means only registered Republicans can vote for Republican candidates and only registered Democrats may vote for Democrats on the ballot. The state’s primary election for all other races – local, state and national – is set for Aug. 30. The General Election is Nov. 8.

A recent Public Policy Polling poll put presidential hopeful Donald Trump out ahead with likely Sunshine State Republican voters and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in the lead for the Democrats over Sen. Bernie Sanders.

To find out more about early voting in Tampa Bay area counties, check out “Early Voting 2016: Find Your Tampa Bay Polling Place.”

Have you made up your mind for the primaries?

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